The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday released the final list of candidates for the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, excluding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The document obtained by reporters showed that the names of the PDP candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, and the SDP candidate, David Bankole, were omitted from the final list. Sources within the commission disclosed that both parties were excluded due to unresolved court cases bordering on disputes over their leadership structures.
Following the exclusion of the PDP and SDP, INEC cleared 12 political parties to participate in the governorship contest.
According to the final list, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will field the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, 58, with Monisade Afuye, 67, as his running mate. Other candidates cleared include Opeyemi Falegan, 41, of the Accord Party with Omoyeni Bayode, 48, as deputy; Akande Oluwasegun, 36, of the African Action Congress alongside Oluwasanmi Fajuyigbe; and Ayodeji Ojo, 42, of the Action Democratic Party, with Itunu Ibitoye, 35.
The African Democratic Congress is represented by Oluwadare Bejide, 66, and Babatola Ayodeji, 65. Also listed are Bidemi Awogbemi, 36, and Akinyemi Adewumi, 53, of the Action People’s Party; Joseph Anifowose, 65, and Margaret Ilesanmi, 68, of the Allied People’s Movement; and the Labour Party candidates, Oyebanji Olajuyin, 67, and Ayokunle Okumade, 45.
Others cleared include Blessing Abegunde, 35, of the New Nigeria People’s Party, with Francis Ajayi, 65; Olaniyi Ayodele, 49, and Modupe Adebiyi, 35, of the People’s Redemption Party; Osinkolu Olusegun and Arowolo Olusesan of the Young Progressive Party; and Victor Adetunji, 38, with Adesina Oyeniyi, 35, of the Zenith Labour Party.
INEC’s document further revealed that none of the cleared parties is fielding a female governorship candidate, although four women are listed as deputy governorship candidates. There were also no persons living with disabilities among the candidates. The commission displayed the academic qualifications of all candidates and their running mates.
Reacting to its omission, the PDP rejected INEC’s final list, insisting it remains a participant in the June 20 election. In a statement signed by Gani Salau, Special Adviser on Media to Oluyede, the party said the matter is already before a Federal High Court in Abuja, where its candidate is seeking an order of mandamus to compel INEC to publish his name.
The PDP added that it has appealed the judgment of a Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti which ordered a fresh governorship primary and has filed a stay of execution. The party expressed confidence that the courts would rule in its favour and urged its supporters across the state’s 16 local government areas to remain calm.
Similarly, the Ekiti State Chairman of the SDP, Bamikole Ayodele, expressed shock at the non-inclusion of the party’s candidate, describing the development as unexpected. He maintained that the SDP complied with all electoral guidelines and said the party was consulting its legal team to explore lawful options to address the omission, while urging supporters to remain calm as the matter is pursued in court.
